Autos
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This Not-a-Ferrari Is Getting a Bespoke V-12 Engine
Plenty of Ferrari fanatics want a real 250 GTO. Few, if any, will get one of these iconic and rare sports cars. That’s why folks have been building their dream cars out of less desirable cars, or even whole-cloth from kits or replicas, for decades. Who has $48 million laying around, anyways? That’s where an outfit like GTO Engineering plays a role. It can build something awesome out of a used-up period Ferrari, known as a “revival”—essentially, a recreation with a few modifications. Or, the company hopes, you might want something entirely original. Original in the sense that it’s inspired by, but not based on, a legendary Ferrari. The Squalo won’t even utilize a Ferrari engine; instead, the company will engineer and build a 4.0-liter V-12 specifically fo...
2022 Chevy Bolt EUV’s Range Falls Short of Original Estimates
When Chevrolet revealed the 2022 Bolt EUV, it estimated the electric SUV would manage approximately 250 miles of driving range on a full charge. Turns out the American brand was off by a few miles—specifically, three. The Bolt EUV returns an estimated driving range of 247 miles on a full charge of its 65-kWh battery pack, per the Environmental Protection Agency. While it might not break the 250-mile barrier, the Bolt EUV still offers plenty of driving range for most electric vehicle consumers, even if it falls a wee bit short of the 258-mile driving range offered by its closest competitor, the 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric. Plus, there’s always the 2022 Bolt hatchback, which maintains the 259-mile range of its 2021 counterpart. See all 20 photos What the Bolt EUV lacks in range relative...
The Ultimate BMW M8 Is a 12-Cylinder Prototype From the 1990s
The little-known M8 prototype was never given the green light for production, but it is still a remarkable feat of engineering. Credit the 6.1-liter V-12 under this big coupe’s hood, which, according to the video above, is just one of three such engines to exist. With 640-hp (more than the current BMW M8), the rear-drive BMW M8 prototype was surely a rocket. Plus, with a six-speed manual on board, it was definitely a hoot to manhandle, too. BMW’s big V-12 shared little with the unit in the production 850i of the 1990s. Unlike that car’s single overhead cam 5.0-liter unit, the M8 prototype’s 6.1-liter 12-pot featured dual overhead cams, a special intake setup, and an entirely reworked lubrication system. In fact, the oil sump was moved to the back of the car to allow...
What’s the Best 2021 Mazda CX-5 Trim? Here’s Our Guide
The Mazda CX-5 isn’t the newest, highest-tech, most fuel efficient, or most practical compact SUV—but it’s definitely the sportiest. Its shortcomings are few, and it remains one of the top-rated vehicles in our compact SUV rankings. For 2021 the CX-5 has been updated with a larger infotainment screen, a new trim level, and a very slight price increase. What are the differences between the 2021 CX-5 trim levels, and which is best? Let’s get into it. 2021 Mazda CX-5 Sport Pros and Cons Sport is a fitting name for the base trim, as it enjoys the same sporty chassis setup as its higher-end counterparts. It’s powered by a 2.5-liter I-4 that turns the front wheels, with all-wheel drive optionally available. This engine doesn’t make the CX-5 particularly efficient, s...
2021 Ferrari 812 GTS First Drive: Frightening, Just Like You Want It to Be
Ferrari 812 Superfast Full Overview It’s almost easy to come to the conclusion serious skill is no longer a prerequisite to driving a new Ferrari, but this review of the 2021 Ferrari 812 GTS quickly disavows you of that notion. Ferrari’s V-12-powered drop-top GT is a frightening car to the uninitiated—but once you learn its mysterious ways, it becomes the best driving partner a well-heeled car enthusiast could ask for. It is not difficult to drive, but it is difficult to drive well—and isn’t that what we want a Ferrari to be? Indulge me for a moment as I step back in time to my First Drive of an 812, two years ago when the hardtop 812 Superfast won a spot on the 2019 All-Stars list of our sister publication, Automobile. We were granted the privilege of driving the 812 on ...
Subaru’s New 2023 Electric SUV Gets a Name: Solterra
See all 17 photos According to Subaru, the name is an amalgamation of the Latin words for “sun” and “Earth,” so you can bet that while the Solterra’s powertrain is a change of pace for Subaru, its wholesome, crunchy-granola, dog-loving vibe will surely be played up to commensurate levels. Subaru has revealed the 2023 Solterra’s tailgate badge as well as a shadowy image of the entire SUV, unhelpfully backlit by Sol while it travels across some terra firma. From what we can make out, the Solterra appears to have a long wheelbase, with its wheels pushed to each corner, and a generally sleeker-than-Subie-typical shape. Aerodynamics surely played a role in the smooth profile—minimizing drag helps maximize driving range per charge. And there is a clear (and un...
The UK Sets Rules Defining, Legalizing Self-Driving Cars
But we’re not talking self-driving vehicles like those you’re probably thinking of. Instead, the UK Department for Transport says”Automated Lane Keeping System (ALKS) could legally be defined as self-driving, as long as they receive GB type approval and that there is no evidence to challenge the vehicle’s ability to self-drive.” Under new rules, the system should work in a single lane and be able to control the vehicle’s position under 37 mph (60 km/h). When self-driving mode is active, the driver is not required to monitor the road and goes hands-free from steering. And when the system deems human input is necessary, the driver has to respond within 10 seconds (no sleeping). If not, the system should turn on hazard lights and slow the vehicle down to a ...
The 2022 Honda Civic Looks Great Lowered and on Iconic Tuner Wheels
Moments after the official images of the upcoming 11th generation Honda Civic sedan hit the airwaves, the enthusiast community began pitching potential changes. Some want a complete “do over,” while others appreciate the 2022 Civic’s design departure from its older sibling’s rather aggressive nature. Regardless of what side of the fence you’re viewing things from, most will agree that a tasteful set of wheels and tires, along with the elimination of at least a portion of that often dreaded factory tire-to-fender distance, is the easiest way to make the biggest visual impact. Factory Wheel Woes Having some time to mull over the various angles of the latest version of Honda’s golden child, it just seems like the factory wheels miss the mark. The...
Ford CEO Promises Electric Versions of “Iconic Vehicles,” Hints at Bronco
Ford is doubling down on its commitment to electric vehicles, spending $22 billion over five years on electric SUVs, trucks, and vans for retail and commercial customers. We talked to Jim Farley, who became Ford CEO on October. 1, 2020, for an update on the Blue Oval’s efforts to become a dominant e-mobility player, including how it plans to electrify key models. See all 19 photos Ford is coming up with more aggressive electrification plans. How is it shaping up? Farley: We’re into the second inning of the e-mobility transformation. It’s early days. Allocating capital to some extent is the easiest thing. Our industry is littered with companies making announcements of nameplates they changed, added, or launched this year. And it didn’t really have m...
The 2021 Ford Bronco’s Fuel Economy Is Not Good, Trails Even the Thirsty Wrangler
The Ford Bronco will wear a few hats: reviving an iconic model, tussling with the Wrangler for off-road-oriented SUV supremacy, headlining a new sub-brand that includes the smaller Bronco Sport. No one expected that brief to include miserly fuel economy, and with the official EPA fuel economy numbers spilling out a little earlier than expected (by way of Bronco Nation, which has a full breakdown of the numbers for all trims), that’s definitely proven out. See all 290 photos Before getting into the numbers, we spoke to a Ford representative, who confirmed the numbers are accurate and are expected to hit the EPA website in the near future. Ford released this statement regarding the fuel economy release: “Bronco brand customers demand the highest-levels of off-road capability and ...
2022 Volkswagen Tiguan First Look: A Sleeker Compact SUV
Volkswagen enthusiasts might not want to hear this, but the glory days of the Golf are long gone. The Tiguan compact SUV has been a major sales success both here and abroad—VW sells over a million units per year worldwide. That’s why it’s important for VW to keep the Tiguan looking fresh and full of desirable features. A few years after it was unveiled at the 2017 North American International Auto Show, we got a first look at the revised U.S.-spec version of the long-wheelbase Tiguan in a studio setting. Last year, you might remember, we were given a from-a-distance preview of these changes in the form of the updated European-market Tiguan. Fresh Looks All Around The biggest changes for the 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan apply to the exterior and interior with a significant overhaul th...
Porsche Sonderwunsch: Your Source for Factory Quality One-Offs and Restorations
You may be familiar with Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur personalization program, or its Classic setup that provides parts and restoration support to classic Porsche models. Meet the zenith of these two services: Porsche Sonderwunsch. If you’re thinking that sounds like the word “sandwich” in German, rest easy—”sandwich” is the same in German as it is in English. “Sonderwunsch,” on the other hand, translates from German as “special request,” and applied here is shorthand for a new one-off custom car and total refurbishment service being launched to cater to Porsche’s most discerning customers. See all 36 photos Want Porsche to build you a complete one-off sports car? Done; Porsche calls that branch of the program Factory One-...
